U.S. patent number 7,653,551 [Application Number 09/730,232] was granted by the patent office on 2010-01-26 for method and system for searching and submitting online via an aggregation portal.
This patent grant is currently assigned to IPwealth.com, Inc.. Invention is credited to Alexander I. Poltorak.
United States Patent |
7,653,551 |
Poltorak |
January 26, 2010 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Method and system for searching and submitting online via an
aggregation portal
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed for searching and submitting
intellectual property listings, goods and services offered for sale
online. Tailored searching is provided in a convenient and
efficient manner on the Internet via an Aggregation Portal. The
Aggregation Portal provides a uniform and user-friendly interface,
whereby intermediary services are provided to facilitate
transactions utilizing the Internet. Such services include legal,
valuation, insurance, escrow, brokering, consulting and other
professional services. Further, a multiple-listing type of
commission sharing is created between the Aggregation Portal and
various Internet auctions and exchanges. In one embodiment, a
software application is downloaded on a user's personal computer
(or network terminal) for searching, marketing and transacting
goods and services, especially intellectual property.
Inventors: |
Poltorak; Alexander I. (Monsey,
NY) |
Assignee: |
IPwealth.com, Inc. (Suffern,
NY)
|
Family
ID: |
24934501 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/730,232 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2000 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20020103654 A1 |
Aug 1, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/1.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
50/184 (20130101); G06Q 30/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
99/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;705/1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Morris, Richard W., A Global Technology Manager's Policy Agenda:
Intellectual Property, Advanced Technology Program, National
Institute of Standards and Technology. cited by examiner .
Microsoft Computer Dictionary Fifth Edition published by Microsoft
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Corporate Products, published in the Arizona Republic on Sep. 11,
2000. cited by examiner .
IBM, Business to Business Integration Using MQSeries and MQSI with
a copyright date of Dec. 2000. cited by examiner .
Successful portals marry structured, unstructured data; corporate
portals published in the I-S Analyzer on Jul. 1, 2000. cited by
examiner .
Reynolds, Hadley, Enterprise Knowledge, Intelligent Enterprise,
published Mar. 30, 1999. cited by examiner .
Kujubu, Laura, Sequoiz releases XML-based portal server, InfoWorld,
Sep. 20, 1999. cited by examiner .
Experts offer key tips on building, integrating portal marts, I-S
Analyzer, Jun. 1, 2000. cited by examiner .
Harney, John, Portal Knowledge, IntelligentKM, Oct. 20, 2000. cited
by examiner .
McCright, John S., EMC provides ddata snapshop; Symmetrix Connect
for Enterprise Data Manager sotrage manager, PC Week , Aug. 25,
1997. cited by examiner .
Kimball, Ralph, Fundamental Grains; Technology Information,
Intellignet Enterprise, Mar. 30, 1999. cited by examiner .
Fischer, Peter, Opening the Vault, Information exchange; Technology
Information, Software Magazine, Apr. 1, 2000. cited by examiner
.
AVI SAHA IBM Software Strategy Nov. 1999. cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Ruhl; Dennis
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Weiser, Esq.; Anatoly S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of searching intellectual property listings,
comprising: maintaining a user-interface site accessible by a
plurality of users; establishing a connection to a plurality of
third-party sources of intellectual property listings available for
transacting; receiving from at least one of said plurality of users
search criteria for searching said plurality of third-party sources
of intellectual property listings; searching said plurality of
third-party sources of intellectual property listings according to
said search criteria; presenting a resulting set of intellectual
property listings to said at least one of said plurality of users;
receiving from said at least one of said plurality of users an
identification of those of said resulting set of intellectual
property listings that are of interest to said at least one of said
plurality of users; securing a permission from each of said
plurality of third-party sources of intellectual property listings
for allowing a search of each said plurality of third-party
sources; and securing from each of said plurality of third-party
sources of intellectual property listings a fee-sharing
agreement.
2. A method of searching intellectual property listings,
comprising: maintaining a user-interface site accessible by a
plurality of users; establishing a connection to a plurality of
third-party sources of intellectual property listings available for
transacting; receiving from at least one of said plurality of users
search criteria for searching said plurality of third-party sources
of intellectual property listings; searching said plurality of
third-party sources of intellectual property listings according to
said search criteria; presenting a resulting set of intellectual
property listings to said at least one of said plurality of users;
receiving from said at least one of said plurality of users an
identification of those of said resulting set of intellectual
property listings that are of interest to said at least one of said
plurality of users; designating a buffer memory for temporary
storage of intellectual property listings matching said search
criteria; reformatting said search criteria according to
requirements of each of said plurality of third-party sources of
intellectual property listings; searching through the intellectual
property listings of said each of said plurality of third-party
sources for matches with said respective reformatted search
criteria; collecting such intellectual property listings that match
said reformatted criteria and storing said listings in said buffer
memory; and reordering said intellectual property listings stored
in said buffer memory according to predefined criteria prior to
presentation thereof to said at least one of said plurality of
users.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of telecommunications
encompassing all existing sorts of interaction multimedia
technology for facilitating online transactions via an electronic
communications network, such as the Internet.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Whenever reference is made herein to intellectual property ("IP"),
it is understood that the present invention is equally applicable
to the searching, marketing of and transacting in other goods and
services. Whenever the word "Internet" is used in this application,
it is understood that the present invention is equally applicable
to any distributed network, such as intranet, extranet, wireless
networks, wide area networks (WAN), local area networks (LAN),
etc.
With the heightened awareness that intellectual property is a
valuable asset with a worldwide market potential, owners of these
assets and parties interested in acquiring rights to these assets
are increasingly turning to the Internet as the marketplace to buy,
sell and license interests in these assets and for facilitating
other transactions in these assets. By using the Internet in this
manner, owners and users of intellectual property can deal with
rights to patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and
technical know-how on a worldwide basis with a convenience and
flexibility not previously possible. More broadly, the Internet may
be used to facilitate the process of buying and selling small
businesses, mergers, acquisitions, procurement of venture capital,
etc.
An example of how the Internet is being used to facilitate
intellectual property transactions on a worldwide basis is the
proliferation of online patent, IP and technology exchanges and
auction sites (collectively "IP Exchange") on the Internet. On
these sites, which typically advertise a global portfolio of
patents and trademarks issued to corporations and individuals,
intellectual property is being marketed to third parties worldwide.
To use a site, a visitor, on accessing the site is typically
required to login and provide identifying information in the usual
manner. Once logged in, the user is able to browse the available
listings. To search for a specific listing, the user is requested
to describe in an online questionnaire the listing of interest.
This may be a simple text search, keyword search, a Boolean
expression search, or a search based on a narrowly defined field of
interest, patent class and subclasses or standard industrial
classification code (SIC). Based on the inputted information, a
query of the database containing IP listings is executed to
determine a match between the user's needs and the available IP
listings in the database. If several matches are found, the
resulting matches may be ranked in a predetermined order and
displayed on the user's computer screen or otherwise conveyed to
the user. If the user is interested in any of the listings, this
may eventually lead to a transaction and a transfer of IP rights.
If a successful transaction between a vendor and a purchaser is
executed, the online exchange or auction site receives a commission
for facilitating the transaction. Similar sites for other types of
intellectual property are available. Other Internet exchange and
auction sites exist for listing businesses for sale, available
venture capital, etc.
Examples of online IP Exchanges include:
TABLE-US-00001 Company URL The Patent & License Exchange
http://www.pl-x.com/ UVentures.com http://www.uventures.com/
yet2.com http://www.yet2.com/ Cool License Corporation
http://www.coollicense.com/ IPnetwork.com http://www.ipnetwork.com/
Patex http://www.patex.com/old/ (CorporateIntelligence.com)
Technology Exchange Company http://www.technologyexchange.com
HelloBrain http://www.HelloBrain.com Patent Cafe's Patent Mart .TM.
http://www.patentcafe.com/patentmart/ PatentAuction.com
http://www.patentauction.com/ Delphion http://www.delphion.com
Vertical*I http://www.verticali.com
On some of the Internet IP Exchange sites, the users, in addition
to the mere matching of vendors and users of intellectual property,
are also provided with a range of value-added services to
facilitate a transaction. These services include patent validity
insurance; transaction escrow services; benchmark patent valuation
and pricing; document management; and royalty stream management. By
utilizing these additional services, the user is provided with
guidance and experienced management to close a deal with fewer
hassles and in a shorter time frame. With these additional
services, sophisticated intellectual property deals can be executed
including joint development agreements, licensing and
cross-licensing agreements, and assignments of patent rights,
general contracts and contract services.
Notwithstanding their present value in facilitating intellectual
property transactions, several problems have surfaced, or are
anticipated with the present Internet IP Exchanges. For instance,
as the number of Internet IP Exchanges proliferates and with each
site presenting a different user interface, it is becoming
bewildering for a user to obtain tailored information or to list
their own property. Another problem is that it is becoming
time-consuming for the user to access each site, register on the IP
Exchange, login, input the requested information, analyze the
output, compare the information from several sites, decide on a
technology and then deal with the several sites to negotiate the
best deal. Another problem is that users are often confused
deciding what is the most appropriate auction or exchange to list
their property or services with. Different exchanges charge
different fees and commissions and offer different market exposure
to their users. Yet another problem is that the value-added
services offered at some of these sites are not uniform but vary
from site to site. Many IP Exchanges do not offer any such
value-added services at all. The variation in interface of
value-added services provided or unavailability thereof inevitably
make the search burdensome and introduce a degree of uncertainty in
the whole transaction with the result that the sites are not living
up to their full potential. In fact, as it was reported at the
Licensing Executive Society (LES) meeting in New York, in May of
2000, as of that date, the sum total of only one patent licensing
transaction has been consummated on all of the Internet IP
Exchanges. Similarly, many of the problems described hereinabove
are present in other Internet auction and exchanges dealing with,
for example, sale of business or venture capital.
Accordingly, in view of these and other problems, it is an
objective of the present invention to provide for an alternative
approach to streamline the marketing and exchange of goods and
services, especially intellectual property, on the Internet.
Similarly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide
for tailored searching, especially intellectual property searching,
in a convenient and efficient manner on the Internet. Further, it
is an objective of the invention to provide for a uniform and
user-friendly interface on the Internet. Still further, it is an
objective of the invention to provide a one-stop shopping solution
for goods and services, especially intellectual property, on the
Internet. Further yet, it is an objective of the invention to
provide for an Intellectual Property Aggregation Portal on the
Internet. Additionally, it is an objective of this invention to
provide for central location from which users may compare and
evaluate various auctions and exchanges and submit their listings
to an auction or exchange or chosen plurality thereof. Yet another
objective of the invention is to provide a software application
which may be run from the user's local computer to effectuate the
tailored searching and listing submission, especially of
intellectual property, in a convenient and efficient manner on the
Internet, providing a uniform and user-friendly interface.
Additionally, it is an objective of the invention to provide for
value-added services to facilitate transactions of intellectual
property on the Internet. Still further it is an objective of the
invention to improve the user's chances of finding a broad
selection of the desired goods and services, especially
intellectual property, using the Internet, while providing a
broadened exposure for suppliers of such goods and services.
Furthermore, it is an objective of the invention to provide
analytical tools, intermediary services including legal, valuation,
insurance, escrow, brokering, consulting and other professional
services to facilitate transactions, especially intellectual
property transactions, utilizing the Internet. It is yet another
objective of the present invention to create commission sharing,
for example a multiple-listing type of commission sharing, between
the Aggregation Portal and various Internet auctions and
exchanges.
Existing aggregation sites, such as Yahoo! Auctions
(http://auctions.yahoo.com/), Bidder's Edge
(http://www.biddersedge.com/), MySimon (http://www.mysimon.com),
and the like are inadequate for the purposes described hereinabove.
These aggregation sites ultimately have to bring a user to the
listing auction site to bid on an item of interest. After clicking
(or double-clicking) on an item of interest, which is served by a
hyperlink, the user is transferred to the listing exchange or an
auction such Ebay, Amazon, or one of the Yahoo auctions or stores.
Once there, the user then bids on the item of interest. Similarly,
a software application, such as AuctionFerret from ZDNet, allows
users to download this software application program to their own
computer and to search preselected auctions from the user's local
computer. Listings displayed as a result of the search serve as
hyperlinks which will transfer the user to the listing site, once
they are clicked (or double-clicked) upon. These work relatively
well with consumer items such as books, movies, antiques,
electronics, and similar items typically sold through Ebay, Yahoo,
Amazon, etc. that do not require a user to logon before searching
the items listed. These aggregation sites, however, do not function
with exchanges listing intellectual property, businesses for sale,
venture capital and similar goods and services, that typically
require a user to logon to the site before the user can search or
bid on the items listed thereon. In addition, the prior art
aggregation sites do not allow the user to submit a listing to be
posted across all of the aggregated sites. If the user desires to
have a particular item listed on multiple sites to gain greater
exposure for the item, the user must go through a time consuming
process of listing the item directly on each of the auction sites.
Furthermore, the user must separately manage the simultaneous
auctions of the same item that may require the user to satisfy
multiple winning bids for the same item. While this may be possible
for goods and services that the user has available in quantity,
satisfying multiple winning bids for the same item is impossible
when the subject item is unique, as in the case of intellectual
property. Finally, these prior art aggregation portals typically do
not offer any value-added services, besides comparing prices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the
above and other objectives are realized in a method, system and
database for facilitating a one-stop shopping aggregation portal
site on the Internet and a software application for searching,
listing, marketing and transacting goods and services, especially
intellectual property. With such method, system and database,
information available on all online exchange and auction sites on
the Internet, as well information from other sources, is
consolidated in a single, one-stop aggregation portal site using a
uniform user-friendly interface. At this aggregation portal site,
both vendors and users can interact, with the assistance of
knowledgeable intermediaries, to effect optimum transactions. In
the process, the site also benefits from a commission for a
successful transaction, the commission being shared with the
listing exchange or auction site in multiple listing format or
other agreed upon format. The aggregation portal site includes an
Internet portal (i.e., an intellectual property portal) through
which the user is invited to enter and explore databases containing
listings of available or wanted property (such as intellectual
property) on the Internet or to submit their listings to an
exchange or plurality of exchanges of their choice. Several means
are provided to explore the portal including clicking on an icon,
entering one or more keyboard keystroke(s), or inputting one or
more voice command(s), and other means well known in the art. These
and other aspects of the invention are explained in greater detail
in the various embodiments below.
In a first embodiment, an IP Aggregation Portal, on an ongoing
basis transparent to the user, accumulates information on available
intellectual property, including the information available at other
IP Exchange sites, by periodic polling and searching such other
sites, to be made available to users.
In a second embodiment, the IP Aggregation Portal executes queries
and searches the sites of other IP Exchanges in real time upon a
user's search request.
Furthermore, in either of the above-mentioned embodiments of the IP
Aggregation Portal, the information is categorized and prioritized
for ease-of-use, uniformity and user-friendly access based on a
given set of user input parameters. Additionally, the IP
Aggregation Portal provides the user with the option of engaging
the services of experienced and knowledgeable consultants via a
transaction manager, for a specific purpose such as valuation of
the intellectual property, in order to facilitate a transaction.
The IP Aggregation Portal includes means to negotiate the
acquisition of intellectual property information from other
Internet IP Exchange sites; means for allowing the users to input
their desired intellectual property specification; means for
matching users'needs with the available intellectual property; and
means for the IP Aggregation Portal to interact with users to
manage a transaction; means to evaluate and compare various
auctions and exchanges; and means to submit user's listing to one
or more chosen auctions and/or exchanges. Thus to the users, the
present invention is a streamlined and time-efficient procedure for
facilitating locating property (especially intellectual property)
listings or want-ads; for evaluating the feasibility of selling or
acquiring interests in the property (especially intellectual
property); and for pursuing a transaction (especially, in
intellectual property).
In a third embodiment, a system and method are provided wherein a
software application is downloaded to the user's terminal (e.g.
personal computer, network terminal, personal digital assistant
(PDA), Internet appliance, web-enabled cellular phone and the like)
and the software application is used to search from the user's
terminal a variety of Internet auction and exchanges (particularly
intellectual property listings) for facilitating one-stop shopping
by searching, marketing, submitting listings and transacting goods
and services, especially intellectual property. Information
available on all online exchange and auction sites, as well
information from other sources, is searchable with a single query
using a uniform user-friendly interface. The software application
executes a query as specified by the user, searches predetermined
Internet auction sites and exchanges, and displays search results
in a uniform user-friendly format. Upon selection of a listing of
interest, the user indicates his or her interest by clicking on the
listing of interest (or by other similar means), thereby notifying
the provider of said software application of his or her interest in
a particular technology. Thereafter, a transaction manager is
assigned which contacts the user and the listing exchanges and
facilitates the desired transaction. Similarly, the user may submit
a listing to one or more selected auctions and/or exchanges from
said software application. The user may be required to preregister
on the desired auctions and exchanges and to store respective user
names and passwords using the application software, which will then
login the user every time a query is executed. Alternatively, the
user may be asked to provide certain personal information, such as
the user's first and last name, the name of the company, address,
phone number and e-mail address, which is used by the application
software to automatically register the user with a plurality of
Internet auctions and exchanges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the aggregation portal system,
wherein an IP Aggregation Portal is connected to an external
database module, in accord with one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the IP Aggregation Portal of FIG.
1 connected to a plurality of specialized transaction service
nodes, in accord with the present invention.
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal components
of the IP Aggregation Portal of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E are flow charts describing a first
method of searching intellectual property listings online, in
accord with the present invention.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are flow charts describing a second method of
searching third-party sources, in accord with the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart describing a third method of searching
listings of a predetermined class of goods or services offered for
sale online, in accord with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is a method, system and database for
facilitating a one-stop shopping aggregation portal site on the
Internet and a software application for searching, marketing and
transacting goods and services, especially intellectual property.
With such method, system and database, information available on all
online exchange and auction sites on the Internet, as well
information from other sources, is consolidated in a single
one-stop shopping aggregation portal site using a uniform
user-friendly interface. In the following detailed description,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will
be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that these specific
details need not be used to practice the present invention. In
other instances, well known structures, interfaces, and processes
have not been shown in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure
the present invention. The invention is now described in greater
detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a system in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated. The system components of the invention
comprise generally a computer network 10 that includes several
modules of hardware and software components. The hardware
components include equipment (not specifically shown) that is well
known in the art for configuring and connecting a computer network.
Suitable computer networks include Internet, intranet, extranet,
wide-area computer networks (WAN), local area computer networks
(LAN) and wireless networks, and associated network and
telecommunication hardware and software for connecting and
configuring a computer network in a manner also well known in the
art. For the present purposes an "intranet" computer network is a
network of computers linking users within an entity such as a
business corporation and restricted to outside users. An "extranet"
is a private secure wide area network of computers linking users of
different entities, typically allowing company's customers to logon
into a company's intranet. A "wireless" network simply refers to
how information in a network is transmitted. The computer network
10 connects one or more users 13 to IP Aggregation Portal 14 via
the Internet 16.
Suitable hardware components include computers, PDAs (Personal
Digital Assistants), computer terminals, Internet appliances,
printers, servers, routers, telecommunication lines,
telecommunication connections, modems and other equipment, well
known in the art and suitably configured for Internet access.
Similarly, suitable software components include TCP/IP protocol,
World Wide Web (WWW), Internet browsers, such as MS Internet
Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mosaic, etc., databases, search
engines, and other software well known in the art having the
function of connecting, configuring and using a computer network,
e.g. the Internet. Additionally, the invention provides for a
software programming component for configuring an aggregation
portal Internet site and for establishing an intellectual property
portal on the website. The software programming component includes
programming language, as for example Visual Basic, C++ or Java,
ordinarily employed for Internet programming; hypertext marking
language, e.g. HTML or XML, ordinarily employed for describing a
web site. Further provided in accordance with the invention is a
programmable database for data acquisition, data storage, data
query, data analysis and information presentation, such as Oracle,
NT SQL Server, MS Access, ASP, ColdFusion, etc. The hardware and
software modules of the invention are configured in the usual
manner for Internet access in a manner well within the ordinary
skill in the art.
The IP Aggregation Portal 14 is established on the Internet 16.
This is done in the usual way and involves creating an Internet
address, registering a domain name, hosting the domain on an
internal server or external third-party server, creating a home
page and a link to a plurality of web pages defining a website
designated as an intellectual property aggregation portal. A link
to the IP Aggregation Portal 14 from the home page is established
in the usual manner, e.g. utilizing a point and click icon,
hyperlink or providing a selection menu for entering line
commands.
A software programming language environment is provided by linking
an external programmable database module 15 to the IP Aggregation
Portal 14. An administrator is thus able to maintain the Internet
site, accept users'queries, store the queries in a database,
compare a query with information in the database and present the
results of the query to the user. Several patent auction and
exchange site databases 12A, 12B, and 12C are accessible via the IP
Aggregation Portal 14 to provide one-stop shopping. To facilitate
access to patent auction site databases 12A, 12B, and 12C from the
IP Aggregation Portal 14, it is contemplated that the IP
Aggregation Portal 14 would have an agreement with each IP Exchange
site including rules for: registration and login; sharing
information; formatting information; storing and retrieving
information; sharing of commissions; managing a transaction between
a user and the owner of the intellectual property; and other
business related agreements.
Referring to FIG. 2A, IP Aggregation Portal 14 facilitates and
manages intellectual property transactions by providing analytical
tools and legal, professional and management assistance to users
and owners of the intellectual property in negotiating an
agreement; closing a deal; and administering a contract. IP
Aggregation Portal 14 is shown connected to escrow services 205,
title insurance services 210, patent validity insurance services
215, consulting services 220, legal services 225 and analytical
tools 230.
Referring to FIG. 2B, Aggregation Portal 14 is illustrated
comprising a querying engine 20, transaction manager 22, compiler
24, search engine 26, first memory storage area 30, buffer memory
32 and second memory storage area 34. Use of the above mentioned
components shall now be described in combination with the presently
preferred method and embodiments of the present invention. The IP
Aggregation Portal 14 provides the user with the option of engaging
the services of experienced and knowledgeable consultants via a
transaction manager 22, for a specific purpose such as valuation of
the intellectual property, in order to facilitate a transaction.
The IP Aggregation Portal 14 includes means 22 to negotiate the
acquisition of intellectual property information from other
Internet IP Exchange sites 12A, 12B, and 12C; means 13 for allowing
the users to input their desired intellectual property
specification; means 24 for matching users'needs with the available
intellectual property; and means 20 for the IP Aggregation Portal
14 to interact with users to manage a transaction; means 24 and 26
to evaluate and compare various auctions and exchanges; and means
20, 24, 26 to submit the user's listing to one or more of chosen
auctions and/or exchanges 12A, 12B, and 12C. A software application
is downloaded to the user's terminal 13 and the software
application is used to search from the user's terminal 13 for a
variety of Internet auction and exchanges 12A, 12B, and 12C. The
software application executes a query as specified by the user,
searches predetermined Internet auction sites and exchanges 12A,
12B, and 12C, and displays search results in a uniform
user-friendly format. Upon selection of a listing of interest, the
user indicates his or her interest by clicking on the listing of
interest (or by other similar means), thereby notifying the
provider of said software application of his or her interest in a
particular technology. Thereafter, a transaction manager 22 is
assigned to the transaction. The transaction manager 22 contacts
the user and the listing exchanges 12A, 12B, and 12C and
facilitates the desired transaction. Similarly, the user may submit
a listing to one or more selected auctions and/or exchanges from
said software application. The user may be required to preregister
on the desired auctions and exchanges 12A, 12B, and 12C and to
store respective user names and passwords using the application
software, which will then login the user every time a query is
executed. Alternatively, the user may be asked to provide certain
personal information, such as the user's first and last name, the
name of the company, address, phone number and e-mail address,
which is used by the application software to automatically register
the user with a plurality of Internet auctions and exchanges 12A,
12B, and 12C. In either case, when the user logs into Aggregation
Portal 14, Aggregation Portal 14 automatically establishes a
connection with sites 12A, 12B and 12C by logging into sites 12A,
12B and 12C using the password information of the particular user.
Thus, Aggregation Portal 14 enables the user to interact with a
plurality of auction sites and exchanges through a single interface
and sign-in process.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a method of searching and submitting
intellectual property listings online is initiated at step 305. A
user-interface site (IP Aggregation Portal 14) is maintained and
made accessible to a plurality of users (step 310). Access to a
predetermined set of third-party sources of intellectual property
listings 12A, 12B, and 12C searchable online is maintained (step
315). As part of maintaining access to the predetermined set of
third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C, permission from each
third-party source is secured, thus allowing search of the
third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C and presenting listings
therefrom to the users (step 340). Further, a fee-sharing agreement
in respect of any fees paid as a result of transactions arising out
of contacts initially made through the IP Aggregation Portal 14 is
secured from each of the third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C
(step 345). Search criteria are then elicited from each user for
searching each of the third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C (step
320). A search of each of the third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C
is then performed in accord with the search criteria elicited from
the user (step 325). A resulting set of intellectual property
listings is presented to the user in response to performing the
search (step 330). The identification of those listings of the set
of intellectual property listings which are of interest to the user
are then elicited from the user (step 335).
Referring to FIGS. 3D and 3E, a method of carrying out a
transaction based on the intellectual property listings of interest
will now be described. In step 370, contact is established between
the user and a third party maintaining intellectual property
listings of interest to the user. Such contact is implemented by
hyperlinking the user with the third party (step 390), and
transmitting to the third party a unique identifier, identifying
the IP Aggregation Portal 14 as the source of a contemplated
intellectual property transaction (step 395). User is then
connected to one or more of escrow services 205, title insurance
services 210, patent validity insurance services 215, consulting
services 220, and legal services 225, via transaction manager 22
residing within the IP Aggregation Portal 14, to facilitate the
transaction (step 375). Transaction manager 22 establishes contact
between the third party and the one or more services 205, 210, 215,
220 and 225 on behalf of the user (step 380). The method terminates
at step 385.
Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3C, both a method and system for
performing a search of each of the third-party sources 12A, 12B,
and 12C in accord with search criteria elicited from the user will
now be described. In step 350, a buffer memory 32 is designated for
temporary storage of intellectual property listings matching the
search criteria elicited from the user (step 350). Using compiler
24, search criteria received from user via querying engine 20 is
reformatted as necessary in accord with individual requirements of
a specific third-party source of intellectual property listings
(step 352). The listings of the specific third-party source are
searched for matches with the reformatted search criteria (step
354). The reformatted search criteria is transmitted from compiler
24 to search engine 26, which performs the actual search.
Intellectual property listings that match the reformatted search
criteria are collected and stored in buffer memory 32 (step 356). A
determination is then made as to whether any of the third-party
sources 12A, 12B, and 12C remain unsearched (step 358). The
performance of steps 352, 354, 356 and 358 are repeated until all
of the third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C have been searched.
The intellectual property listings stored in buffer memory 32 are
then processed by compiler 24. Once it is determined in step 358
that the search is complete, compiler 24 reformats the intellectual
property listings stored in buffer memory 32 in a predetermined
format (step 360) prior to presenting the listings to user (step
362). The intellectual property listings stored in buffer memory 32
may be reordered by compiler 24 according to a predefined criteria.
The method terminates at step 364.
Referring to FIGS. 2B, 4A and 4B, an alternate method and system
for performing a search of each of the third-party sources 12A,
12B, and 12C in accord with search criteria elicited from the user
will now be described. The search process is initiated at step 405.
First memory storage area 30 and second memory storage area 34 are
designated for storage of intellectual property listings (step
410). Via search engine 26, a snapshot of each of the third-party
sources 12A, 12B, and 12C is taken (step 415) and stored in first
memory storage area 30 via compiler 24 (step 420). Each of the
snapshots is reformatted in a predetermined format by compiler 24
(step 425). The reformatted snapshots are then stored in second
memory storage area 34 (step 430). Via search engine 26, a new
snapshot of one of the third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C is
taken and forwarded to compiler 24 (step 435). Compiler 24 compares
the new snapshot with the snapshot of the same third-party source
in the first memory storage area 30 and identifies any changes
(step 440). Compiler 24 reformats the identified changes in the
same predetermined format mentioned previously (step 445). A
corresponding reformatted snapshot in the second memory storage
area 34 is updated with the new snapshot (step 450). The
corresponding snapshot stored in the first memory storage area 30
is replaced with the new snapshot (step 455). A determination is
then made as to whether any of the third-party sources 12A, 12B,
and 12C remain unsearched (step 460). The performance of steps 415,
420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445, 450, 455 and 460 are repeated until
all of the third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C have been
searched. Once it is determined in step 460 that the search is
complete, a buffer memory 32 is designated for temporary storage of
intellectual property listings matching the search criteria
elicited from the user (step 465). Compiler 24 searches through the
reformatted snapshots in the second memory storage area 34 for
matches with the search criteria (step 470). Intellectual property
listings that match the search criteria are collected and stored in
buffer memory 32 (step 475). The method terminates at step 480.
Referring to FIG. 5, a method of searching listings of a
predetermined class of goods or services offered for sale online is
initiated at step 505. A user-interface site (IP Aggregation Portal
14) is maintained and made accessible to a plurality of users 13
(step 510). Access to a predetermined set of third-party listings
of a predetermined class of goods or services 12A, 12B, and 12C
searchable online is maintained (step 515). Search criteria is then
elicited from each user for searching each of the third-party
sources 12A, 12B, and 12C (step 520). A search of each of the
third-party sources 12A, 12B, and 12C is then performed in accord
with the search criteria elicited from the user (step 525). A
resulting set of goods or services is presented to the user in
response to performing the search (step 530). The identification of
those goods or services which are of interest to the user are then
elicited from the user (step 535). The method terminates at step
540.
When an item is located that the user desires to bid on, the user
submits to Aggregation Portal 14 the desired bid amount and
Aggregation Portal 14 then submits the bid amount to each of sites
12A, 12B, and 12C that contain the desired item using the
connection established to each of sites 12A, 12B, and 12C on behalf
of the particular user. Aggregation Portal 14 then monitors the
auction(s) of the item taking place on each of sites 12A, 12B and
12C by periodically searching sites 12A, 12B and 12C for the status
of the auction(s), in a similar manner as described above.
Aggregation Portal 14 then reports to the user whether the user was
outbid for the item or whether the user has won or lost the auction
for the item. Thus, Aggregation Portal 14 provides a single
interface through which a user may locate an item, such as
intellectual property, to bid and also engage in the bidding
process.
For those goods or services listings (such as venture capital, for
example) that require a fee or commission to be paid by the buyer,
the Aggregation Portal 14 will submit the bid to such one of the
sites 12A, 12B, and 12C that contain the desired listing, which
charges the least amount in fees and commissions. Thus, Aggregation
Portal 14 provides a single interface through which a user may
locate a listing, such as venture capital, to bid and also engage
in the bidding process in the most economical fashion.
Aggregation Portal 14 also enables a user to submit an item to be
listed for auction on any of sites 12A, 12B and 12C. Initially,
Aggregation Portal 14 receives from a user a listing for an item
the user desires to offer for sale. The listing may include, by way
of non-limiting example, an opening bid price, a reserve price, an
auction expiration, a description and an illustrative graphic.
Aggregation Portal then communication the item listing to each of
sites 12A, 12B and 12C, or as designated by the user, via the
connection established between Aggregation Portal 14 and sites 12A,
12B and 12C. Aggregation Portal 14 then monitors each of sites 12A,
12B and 12C to determine which of sites 12A, 12B and 12C has
received the highest bid for the listed item. Immediately prior to
the auction expiration time, Aggregation Portal 14 identifies the
one of sites 12A, 12B and 12C that has received the highest bid and
also cancels the auction for the listed item on the other of sites
12A, 12B and 12C. Thus, when the auction expires, the highest
bidder across all of sites 12A, 12B and 12C wins the auction for
the item.
In an exemplary embodiment, Aggregation Portal 14 monitors each of
sites 12A, 12B and 12C to determine which of sites 12A, 12B and 12C
has received the highest bid for the listed item and, upon
identifying the highest bidder on one of sites each of sites 12A,
12B and 12C, posts the highest bidder and bid amount for the listed
item on the other of sites each of sites 12A, 12B and 12C.
Aggregation Portal 14 continuously monitors the bids received for
the item on sites 12A, 12B and 12C to ensure that the bidding on
each of sites 12A, 12B and 12C reflect the highest bid received on
any of sites 12A, 12B and 12C. When the auction expires, the
highest bid received across all of sites 12A, 12B and 12C wins the
auction for the item. Accordingly, the item for sale may be listed
simultaneously on multiple sites 12A, 12B and 12C and the one
highest bidder across one of sites 12A, 12B and 12C wins the
auction for the item. Because only the one highest bidder can win
the auction for the item, this method is particularly suitable for
posting for sale a unique item, such as intellectual property,
simultaneously on multiple auction sites.
A method and system for facilitating a one-stop shopping
aggregation portal site on the Internet, and a software application
for searching, marketing and transacting goods and services,
especially intellectual property, is described herein. These
specific arrangements and methods described herein are merely
illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous
modifications in form and detail may be made by those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. Although this invention has been shown in
relation to a particular embodiment, it should not be considered so
limited. Rather, the present invention is limited only by the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *
References